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The Lost Ones
Not yet published
Expected 1 Dec 26From the author of All the Little Raindrops comes a haunting thriller about an escaped convict and the woman he saved, working together to root out a gruesome conspiracy in the hills of West Virginia.
Duke Caraway was convicted of a brutal murder he can’t remember committing. When he escapes from prison, he’s not evading justice. He’s pursuing it. And his hunt for the real killer leads back to the impoverished Appalachian town where everything went wrong.
Only one person believes him: Winsome Fair. Years ago, seven-year-old Duke rescued Winsome from his monstrous father’s makeshift dungeon—her and little Junie. But that one heroic act had devastating consequences for Duke’s own life, setting him on a path to group homes and addiction. And now Junie is dead, allegedly by his hand.
Guidance counselor Winsome, still haunted by her past, agrees to help Duke clear his name. But as clues uncover a vast network of stolen children, silenced witnesses, and corrupt officials, they’re shocked when it all hits so close to home. With their enemies growing bolder and their deepening connection squarely at risk, they race to expose a community’s darkest secrets, no matter the price.
Duke Caraway was convicted of a brutal murder he can’t remember committing. When he escapes from prison, he’s not evading justice. He’s pursuing it. And his hunt for the real killer leads back to the impoverished Appalachian town where everything went wrong.
Only one person believes him: Winsome Fair. Years ago, seven-year-old Duke rescued Winsome from his monstrous father’s makeshift dungeon—her and little Junie. But that one heroic act had devastating consequences for Duke’s own life, setting him on a path to group homes and addiction. And now Junie is dead, allegedly by his hand.
Guidance counselor Winsome, still haunted by her past, agrees to help Duke clear his name. But as clues uncover a vast network of stolen children, silenced witnesses, and corrupt officials, they’re shocked when it all hits so close to home. With their enemies growing bolder and their deepening connection squarely at risk, they race to expose a community’s darkest secrets, no matter the price.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication December 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 ⭐
What the heck did I just read!?? I was literally staring at a wall and that's a first!! I was thinking of the wrong pronoun! That blindsided me...it's been a while since I read a thriller this good! it was well written, appropriately paced and with an unexpected twist! now excuse me I'm gonna go find Mia's other thrillers
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
SKIP CHAPTER:51
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
I love everything Mia Sheridan so I'm thankful for Montlake and Netgalley for this eARC 🖤🩷
What the heck did I just read!?? I was literally staring at a wall and that's a first!! I was thinking of the wrong pronoun! That blindsided me...it's been a while since I read a thriller this good! it was well written, appropriately paced and with an unexpected twist! now excuse me I'm gonna go find Mia's other thrillers
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
SKIP CHAPTER:51
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
I love everything Mia Sheridan so I'm thankful for Montlake and Netgalley for this eARC 🖤🩷
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Duke Caraway has escaped prison, determined to prove he didn't commit the murder that landed him behind bars. His search for the truth brings him back to the Appalachian town where his troubled past began and to Winsome Fair, the woman whose life he saved when they were children. But their shared history is marked by tragedy, and the death of another girl from their past raises disturbing questions about what really happened all those years ago. As Duke and Winsome dig deeper they uncover a web of missing children, corruption and buried secrets. With powerful people determined to keep the truth hidden the pair must confront the darkness surrounding their hometown before more lives are lost.
Dark and genuinely heartbreaking, The Lost Ones had me questioning how people can be so cruel. My heart ached for those children and what makes it hit so hard is how painfully real and relevant the story is. The things people are capable of doing in the name of greed and self interest is disturbing 😭 Every part of the investigation felt intentional with multiple threads weaving together into an incredibly layered and emotional story. I loved Duke and Winnie together and while there's a little romance sprinkled in, the mystery and emotional weight is what truly stole the spotlight! Be prepared for some heavy themes but if you love an intricately plotted thriller that gets under your skin, this one is definitely worthy of a spot on your TBR!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Mia Sheridan, Montlake, and otrpr for both this eARC and physical copy!
Dark and genuinely heartbreaking, The Lost Ones had me questioning how people can be so cruel. My heart ached for those children and what makes it hit so hard is how painfully real and relevant the story is. The things people are capable of doing in the name of greed and self interest is disturbing 😭 Every part of the investigation felt intentional with multiple threads weaving together into an incredibly layered and emotional story. I loved Duke and Winnie together and while there's a little romance sprinkled in, the mystery and emotional weight is what truly stole the spotlight! Be prepared for some heavy themes but if you love an intricately plotted thriller that gets under your skin, this one is definitely worthy of a spot on your TBR!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Mia Sheridan, Montlake, and otrpr for both this eARC and physical copy!
October 9, 2026
4.25 stars
The Lost Ones is a dark intense romantic thriller with multiple POVs and multiple timelines. It takes place in West Virginia.
There are three POVs: Duke, Winnie and Billy. The present is 1982. Most of the book from Duke and Winnie’s POVs take place in 1982. However the Billy POV is mostly in the 1950s (but also other years).
The book starts off with an extremely horrific vivid description of what the lives of these characters were like. It is important for the story to understand these characters. But it was hard to read.
When Duke was 7 years old he helped rescue two young girls Winsome/Winnie and Junie. His father was arrested. Now in 1982 Duke is in prison wrongly accused of murder.
This story is complex. It’s beautiful, yet at times so disturbing. The author tackles some heavy subject matters. Parts of this book are upsetting to read. There are dysfunctional characters and horrendous crimes.
Winnie is one of my favorite characters. She is a guidance counsellor with a big heart kind. She was adopted as a young girl by the mayor at the time, Twyla Fair. I loved her so much.
Winnie wants to uncover the truth about her past. Also there is a big mystery aspect to the book. Duke and Winnie want to solve the mystery of what happened to their friend Junie.
Winnie and Duke are such interesting characters. They came from poverty. But there is so much resilience and strength. The romance while slow burn is incredible.
This is such a heartbreaking story. But it is captivating. There is one part that completely blew my mind. Overall this is a very interesting read that will stay with me.
Thanks to Montlake Romance and Over The River Public Relations for the gifted copy.
The Lost Ones is a dark intense romantic thriller with multiple POVs and multiple timelines. It takes place in West Virginia.
There are three POVs: Duke, Winnie and Billy. The present is 1982. Most of the book from Duke and Winnie’s POVs take place in 1982. However the Billy POV is mostly in the 1950s (but also other years).
The book starts off with an extremely horrific vivid description of what the lives of these characters were like. It is important for the story to understand these characters. But it was hard to read.
When Duke was 7 years old he helped rescue two young girls Winsome/Winnie and Junie. His father was arrested. Now in 1982 Duke is in prison wrongly accused of murder.
This story is complex. It’s beautiful, yet at times so disturbing. The author tackles some heavy subject matters. Parts of this book are upsetting to read. There are dysfunctional characters and horrendous crimes.
Winnie is one of my favorite characters. She is a guidance counsellor with a big heart kind. She was adopted as a young girl by the mayor at the time, Twyla Fair. I loved her so much.
Winnie wants to uncover the truth about her past. Also there is a big mystery aspect to the book. Duke and Winnie want to solve the mystery of what happened to their friend Junie.
Winnie and Duke are such interesting characters. They came from poverty. But there is so much resilience and strength. The romance while slow burn is incredible.
This is such a heartbreaking story. But it is captivating. There is one part that completely blew my mind. Overall this is a very interesting read that will stay with me.
Thanks to Montlake Romance and Over The River Public Relations for the gifted copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐️
The plot itself was very captivating though! I won't say to much to avoid spoilers, but Duke and Winn caught my attention right from the prologue and had it until the very end. MS had multiple povs, three different timelines and a ton of stuff going on and managed to weave it all together like such a pro. It was a lot to keep track of but it's written in such a riveting way that I couldn't put this down.
Even when I thought I knew where the story was going there were twists that literally had my jaw on the floor. I love when an author manages to just pull the rug out from under the reader and truly shock you.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"There’s darkness in me, Duke. It runs in my blood like poison. If I ever . . . if I ever do somethin’ that don’t seem right, you make sure I stop, however you gotta do that, you hear?"I've read some of Mia Sheridan's suspense thrillers in the past so I had a feeling this would be on the darker side, but damn I didn't expect that. I would strongly advise people to read the content warnings here because there were some unsettling scenes
The plot itself was very captivating though! I won't say to much to avoid spoilers, but Duke and Winn caught my attention right from the prologue and had it until the very end. MS had multiple povs, three different timelines and a ton of stuff going on and managed to weave it all together like such a pro. It was a lot to keep track of but it's written in such a riveting way that I couldn't put this down.
Even when I thought I knew where the story was going there were twists that literally had my jaw on the floor. I love when an author manages to just pull the rug out from under the reader and truly shock you.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2026
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
Mia Sheridan is one of my favorite authors, so I was really looking forward to The Lost Ones. Romantic suspense also has a special place in my heart because it was the genre that introduced me to romance. I don't read it nearly as often anymore, so it always feels a bit nostalgic when I pick one up.
I'll admit I was a little hesitant at first because the escaped convict trope isn't usually one of my favorites. But I should have trusted Mia, because she completely pulled it off. The story hooked me right from the start and had me on the edge of my seat.
I'm normally not a big fan of flashbacks, but they really worked here. They added so much to the story and gave me a much better understanding of the characters and everything they had been through.
The suspense was done so well. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Mia completely surprised me with another twist. I honestly didn't see some of them coming.
I also really connected with Duke and Winsome. I cared about what happened to them from the beginning, and that made the story even more engaging. The romance was another highlight for me. Since friends-to-lovers and second-chance romances are two of my favorite tropes, I loved watching their relationship develop alongside the suspense.
Overall, this was a gripping, emotional, and unpredictable read. It reminded me why I fell in love with romantic suspense in the first place, and it's another great book from Mia Sheridan.
Mia Sheridan is one of my favorite authors, so I was really looking forward to The Lost Ones. Romantic suspense also has a special place in my heart because it was the genre that introduced me to romance. I don't read it nearly as often anymore, so it always feels a bit nostalgic when I pick one up.
I'll admit I was a little hesitant at first because the escaped convict trope isn't usually one of my favorites. But I should have trusted Mia, because she completely pulled it off. The story hooked me right from the start and had me on the edge of my seat.
I'm normally not a big fan of flashbacks, but they really worked here. They added so much to the story and gave me a much better understanding of the characters and everything they had been through.
The suspense was done so well. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Mia completely surprised me with another twist. I honestly didn't see some of them coming.
I also really connected with Duke and Winsome. I cared about what happened to them from the beginning, and that made the story even more engaging. The romance was another highlight for me. Since friends-to-lovers and second-chance romances are two of my favorite tropes, I loved watching their relationship develop alongside the suspense.
Overall, this was a gripping, emotional, and unpredictable read. It reminded me why I fell in love with romantic suspense in the first place, and it's another great book from Mia Sheridan.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars
Duke Caraway is in jail for a crime he didn't remember committing. Winnie Fair is the woman he saved from his father twenty years before. When Duke escapes prison, Winnie is the only one who believes in his innocence and tries to help him clear his name, but it won't be easy. Because in a little and poor town like theirs, there are hungry wolves ready to attack them on the hills and silence them for good.
Reading this story hurt because it resonated with me so much. The author captured a sad reality so well. Generational trauma, abuse, manipulation, how thin is the line between law and lawless and how people use their power for their own gain. I loved that this was set in multiple timelines so that we could emphatize with the characters, even the ones who made questionable choices.
The story was complex and it kept me reading even though I had to stop to take a breath because it was too hard to read sometimes. This is how it impacted me, at least. But it eventually paid off, because all is well what ends well. This is a thriller/suspense but also a romance. It had to have a good ending.
Duke and Winnie were the example of 'wrong time wrong place'. Ever since Duke saved Winnie when they were just 6, they had a connection, but could never truly get to know each other because their paths went to different directions. Winnie lived a good life, surrounded by her adoptive mother. Duke grew in other circumstances and had to bear the weight of knowing his father was not a good man. Because in little cities, labels stuck. So it wasn't a surprise to many when Duke was apphrended for a crime. And he was pushed to escape because he wanted to protect Winnie from his father coming out of jail. But there is more to this, of course. I loved that the story spanned the 50's, 60's and the 80's. Because another important character is Billy, whose story gets us to Duke and Winnie.
If you're looking for a mystery thriller with a dash of romance (though it is more of a subplot), look no more! But I advise you to thread carefully because this story deals with sensitive stuff like SA and trauma and more. It is well written and worth reading and you won't be disappointed.
Duke Caraway is in jail for a crime he didn't remember committing. Winnie Fair is the woman he saved from his father twenty years before. When Duke escapes prison, Winnie is the only one who believes in his innocence and tries to help him clear his name, but it won't be easy. Because in a little and poor town like theirs, there are hungry wolves ready to attack them on the hills and silence them for good.
Reading this story hurt because it resonated with me so much. The author captured a sad reality so well. Generational trauma, abuse, manipulation, how thin is the line between law and lawless and how people use their power for their own gain. I loved that this was set in multiple timelines so that we could emphatize with the characters, even the ones who made questionable choices.
The story was complex and it kept me reading even though I had to stop to take a breath because it was too hard to read sometimes. This is how it impacted me, at least. But it eventually paid off, because all is well what ends well. This is a thriller/suspense but also a romance. It had to have a good ending.
Duke and Winnie were the example of 'wrong time wrong place'. Ever since Duke saved Winnie when they were just 6, they had a connection, but could never truly get to know each other because their paths went to different directions. Winnie lived a good life, surrounded by her adoptive mother. Duke grew in other circumstances and had to bear the weight of knowing his father was not a good man. Because in little cities, labels stuck. So it wasn't a surprise to many when Duke was apphrended for a crime. And he was pushed to escape because he wanted to protect Winnie from his father coming out of jail. But there is more to this, of course. I loved that the story spanned the 50's, 60's and the 80's. Because another important character is Billy, whose story gets us to Duke and Winnie.
If you're looking for a mystery thriller with a dash of romance (though it is more of a subplot), look no more! But I advise you to thread carefully because this story deals with sensitive stuff like SA and trauma and more. It is well written and worth reading and you won't be disappointed.
Review of advance copy
The Lost Ones by Mia Sheridan. Thanks to otr for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dale Carver’s escaped from prison for two reasons. To prove his innocence and to protect the one person who believes him, Winsome Fair, whom he rescued as a child from his father’s makeshift dungeon.
This was an atmospheric read with a deep generational mystery and surprising twists. The pacing throughout was a little slow, I think because it’s a longer story, but it’s worth it. I liked how there were multiple timelines , not just dual timelines. This added depth to the mystery, and I really really wanted to figure it all out. There is some romance, but it was kept on the lighter side, with the focus on the suspense.
“None of us had the luxury of bein affected by this life. If we did, we ended up hangin from a tree branch behind our house.”
Read if you like:
-Appalachian settings
-Generational trauma or mysteries
-Wrongly accused stories
The Lost Ones comes out 12/1.
Dale Carver’s escaped from prison for two reasons. To prove his innocence and to protect the one person who believes him, Winsome Fair, whom he rescued as a child from his father’s makeshift dungeon.
This was an atmospheric read with a deep generational mystery and surprising twists. The pacing throughout was a little slow, I think because it’s a longer story, but it’s worth it. I liked how there were multiple timelines , not just dual timelines. This added depth to the mystery, and I really really wanted to figure it all out. There is some romance, but it was kept on the lighter side, with the focus on the suspense.
“None of us had the luxury of bein affected by this life. If we did, we ended up hangin from a tree branch behind our house.”
Read if you like:
-Appalachian settings
-Generational trauma or mysteries
-Wrongly accused stories
The Lost Ones comes out 12/1.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Winsome + Duke
1961. Duke grew up all alone with only his truck driver dad in a trailer deep in the woods of West Virginia. He didn't go to school. Never saw much of other people. One night, when Duke was only seven years old, he saw his dad doing something. And that changed not only Duke's life but also six year old Winsome's.
21 two years later Duke has been in jail for eight years when he knows he has to break out to save Winnie again.
And that is only the very beginning of this amazing book....
══════════════════
I loved this so much.
Even though I was thoroughly confused during the first 15% of the book. We get so many years/timelines/ages/people and we have to guess our way around a bit. It was a slightly complicated for my brain. But it didn't take me long to get used to it all.
The main story takes place in 1982.
Winnie and Duke detecting their way through everything that is happening and everything that happened years ago.
I really enjoyed reading this.
It was so heartbreaking and dark and terrible and true-crime-podcasty and ... just so sad.
When you leave all the really bad stuff out, it could be just a cute little childhood sweethearts second-chance small-town romance.
But there was not much sweet about our darlings' lives.
You just want them to get their happily ever after. But there's a lot to fight through to get there. Lots of secret detective work and guessing. And then, when we think, okay, now we know what and who and why... Mia goes and bam! What the actual potato? I had to put my kindle down and didn't know if I really just read through almost this whole book without my brain turned on, or... and now ... this? What?
I just loved this book.
It was really really horrible and triggery but also heartbreaking and sweet and just so very beautifully written.
I could imagine that Mia found a newspaper story or a podcast about such happenings and put them in a book. It's not something that you want happening in real life, but it's happening - or hopefully it ended happening decades ago. But I doubt it.
Anyway. Read this book. It's heartbreakingly beautiful and I really want to see this on TV one day
THE LOST ONES was such a beautiful and extremeley heartbreaking and horrible but also super amazing 1982 Small Town West Virginia Mystery Thriller Romance. Read it!
If you can't click the buy-links
from your phone - click ► HERE!
💜
💜
September 26, 2026
This one started a little slow for me, but I’m so glad I stuck with it because once the story picked up, I was completely invested! The mystery surrounding Duke’s conviction and what really happened to Junie became more and more intriguing as the story unfolded.
I loved how many different elements were woven together. There was plenty of suspense and mystery, but the complicated family dynamics and the characters’ shared history gave the story so much more depth. Duke and Winsome both carry a tremendous amount from their childhoods, and I enjoyed slowly learning how their pasts shaped their lives and connected to what was happening in the present.
I also really liked the love story intertwined with the darker mystery. It never overshadowed the thriller aspect but added an emotional element that made me care even more about the characters and what happened to them. What initially felt like a slower read turned into a layered, suspenseful story involving buried secrets, family, trauma, corruption, and relationships. A definite 5 star read!
Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for a digital ARC.
I loved how many different elements were woven together. There was plenty of suspense and mystery, but the complicated family dynamics and the characters’ shared history gave the story so much more depth. Duke and Winsome both carry a tremendous amount from their childhoods, and I enjoyed slowly learning how their pasts shaped their lives and connected to what was happening in the present.
I also really liked the love story intertwined with the darker mystery. It never overshadowed the thriller aspect but added an emotional element that made me care even more about the characters and what happened to them. What initially felt like a slower read turned into a layered, suspenseful story involving buried secrets, family, trauma, corruption, and relationships. A definite 5 star read!
Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for a digital ARC.
August 7, 2026
Wow. Mia Sheridan always knows how to write a heart wrenching and beautiful story. This book hooked me from the start, and she did a great job visualizing the small, run down town. You are invested in the characters from the beginning.
I truly did not see the twist coming! It’s rare that an author can totally blindside you but she sure did! A powerful, emotional read and another book I’d recommend from Mia Sheridan!
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the eARC.
I truly did not see the twist coming! It’s rare that an author can totally blindside you but she sure did! A powerful, emotional read and another book I’d recommend from Mia Sheridan!
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the eARC.
August 10, 2026
This was very much a wild ride! I loved the way that mia sheridan wrote this. She had you guessing and on your toes through the whole thing. I could have never guessed the twists that happened in this. It was such a good book and the characters were great! She really made you connect with them.
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for a copy of this eARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for a copy of this eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Whoa! I did not see that coming at all. I had to go back and reread that paragraph at least three times, you will know what I mean by "that" paragraph when you read it. Extremely dark, shocking, anxiety at an all new high, this book is intense to say the least. My heart bleeds for these children. How are people so horrible? The characters will make you question everyone and their motives. Duke and Winsome are the most caring people who I have read about in a long time. Their life had so many horrifying turns that it makes me thankful for my own childhood. The plot is thick, with many twists and that made my jaw drop.
Duke Caraway lived with his dad high up in the hills. His dad warned him that he may have darkness in his blood and if he ever sees him do something that does not seem right to try to stop him. When Duke spied his father carrying a young girl by his window in the middle of the night. Seven-year-old Duke snuck out and followed. Saving the lives of not just one but two young girls. From that moment on Winsome and Duke had an instant connection. This was twenty years ago and for the past ten years, Duke has been in jail for a horrible murder of Junie, the other girl that he saved that night. He did not do it and he has been talking to a friend on the inside about different ways to escape. When Duke finds out that his father is being released on a technicality he knows now is the time to make his break and to find out what happened that night. This leads to so much darkness and to him finding Winsome once again. Their love has not stopped; it seems to grow no matter what the two of them have been through.
This book is worth reading. Keep in mind it is a dark, hard, emotionally triggering at times. I loved Duke and Winnie and how they would do anything for one another. What they uncover is insane and my mind is still spinning. Thank you to Mia Sheridan, Montlake, and Over the River PR for my gifted copy of this thrilling read.
Duke Caraway lived with his dad high up in the hills. His dad warned him that he may have darkness in his blood and if he ever sees him do something that does not seem right to try to stop him. When Duke spied his father carrying a young girl by his window in the middle of the night. Seven-year-old Duke snuck out and followed. Saving the lives of not just one but two young girls. From that moment on Winsome and Duke had an instant connection. This was twenty years ago and for the past ten years, Duke has been in jail for a horrible murder of Junie, the other girl that he saved that night. He did not do it and he has been talking to a friend on the inside about different ways to escape. When Duke finds out that his father is being released on a technicality he knows now is the time to make his break and to find out what happened that night. This leads to so much darkness and to him finding Winsome once again. Their love has not stopped; it seems to grow no matter what the two of them have been through.
This book is worth reading. Keep in mind it is a dark, hard, emotionally triggering at times. I loved Duke and Winnie and how they would do anything for one another. What they uncover is insane and my mind is still spinning. Thank you to Mia Sheridan, Montlake, and Over the River PR for my gifted copy of this thrilling read.
August 2, 2026
5 PERFECT STARS
This was an amazing thriller. There was a sub plot of romance but I’m not sure if it was enough to feel fully like a romantic suspense. Or maybe just personally I found myself so invested in the twisty thriller that I was not in it as much for the romance. Regardless, this was perfectly executed to keep me reading “one more chapter.”
I literally never knew what was coming. I was so drawn to these characters and their life stories and struggles. We get to read some about really great humans who have persevered through some of the most despicable humans actions.
The writing was extremely atmospheric, leading me to be that much more invested, feeling as though I was in the West Virginia hills with these very interesting families.
Thank you Montlake & Netgalley for the EARC in exchange for my honest review! 🫶🏼
This was an amazing thriller. There was a sub plot of romance but I’m not sure if it was enough to feel fully like a romantic suspense. Or maybe just personally I found myself so invested in the twisty thriller that I was not in it as much for the romance. Regardless, this was perfectly executed to keep me reading “one more chapter.”
I literally never knew what was coming. I was so drawn to these characters and their life stories and struggles. We get to read some about really great humans who have persevered through some of the most despicable humans actions.
The writing was extremely atmospheric, leading me to be that much more invested, feeling as though I was in the West Virginia hills with these very interesting families.
Thank you Montlake & Netgalley for the EARC in exchange for my honest review! 🫶🏼
June 18, 2026
I don’t give many books 5 stars but this one was AMAZING!!! Mia seriously knows how to keep your attention and make you want to keep reading. Her writing style is chef’s kiss and this thriller had me shooketh at the end and wrong about everything I thought 🤣
It’s written in 3 different POV’s and 3 different time periods, which you would think would be confusing but the way she does it makes you excited to get to the next person’s POV.
Set in rural West Virginia Appalachia, Duke and Winnie have an unshakeable bond after Duke rescues Winnie and her sister from his father kidnapping her. They become fast friends, but end up having a falling out at some point. Years later after Duke escapes from prison, him and Winnie find their way back to each other to solve the mystery of her sister’s murder. But what they discover is so much worse than what they could’ve imagined.
Without giving any spoilers, this book centers around corrupt members taking advantage of members in a poverty stricken community but Mia always is so good about bringing justice to those that need it.
This book does have some dark themes in it so I highly recommend looking at the trigger warnings.
It’s written in 3 different POV’s and 3 different time periods, which you would think would be confusing but the way she does it makes you excited to get to the next person’s POV.
Set in rural West Virginia Appalachia, Duke and Winnie have an unshakeable bond after Duke rescues Winnie and her sister from his father kidnapping her. They become fast friends, but end up having a falling out at some point. Years later after Duke escapes from prison, him and Winnie find their way back to each other to solve the mystery of her sister’s murder. But what they discover is so much worse than what they could’ve imagined.
Without giving any spoilers, this book centers around corrupt members taking advantage of members in a poverty stricken community but Mia always is so good about bringing justice to those that need it.
This book does have some dark themes in it so I highly recommend looking at the trigger warnings.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Necessary and important. This story should be read by all.
I'm stunned, shivers running down my spine and frankly- my Rage is Raging!!
I'm beginning to suspect Mia possesses some kind of psychic abilities. When she wrote Heart of the Sun, in real world we were dealing with place accidents all over the world, camps were being built and there was a strong suspicion of grid collapse reality.
when this book will be released, we have been through a Wayfair conspiracy, a Vinted is on the horizon and the "island documents" scandals galore, THIS fiction makes so much sense, it parallels or maybe mirrors Factuality. The similarities are uncanny and creepy enough to be coincidental.
I'm too scared to what she conjure up next.
Or maybe she CAN go the Simpsons way.IYKYK 😜
Anywho the boonies is the setting. Rural poorest who live in the godforsaken mountains in the 1948, 1961 & 1982. The story dashes between these three years, chronicling the penury of Callaways. The father, the mother and 4 children Billy, Bean, Lottie & Cecily. Abused, neglected, starved they see more than their fair share of beatings, rapes and trauma
“Why would you make a deal with the devil?” he asked.
“Daddy was the devil,” I told him.
“And I bashed his head in.”
They are not even in the count, perpetually hungry and at the mercy of in-breeding. Basically an oven to pop out buns for sale
Hazelene Suggs the harbinger of cash, taking them all away.
Jump to the present time of 1982 where Duke is incarcerated for 25 years but breaks out to help save the girl his father would be going for - Winsome Fair. Adopted daughter of the mayor -Twyla Fair. A sophisticated and cultured girl who studied in paris.
There's too much that goes on at a slow pace where Winnie returns home and abets the escaped fugitive Duke.
“There’s darkness in me, Duke. It runs in my blood like poison. If I ever . . . if I ever do somethin’ that don’t seem right, you make sure I stop, however you gotta do that, you hear?”
But the whole town goes against them opening the closet of secrets sealed shut. Those skeletons are making awful noise though..........
The twist is the most messed up in the end. Fair warning
Mia takes a challenge of turning every unique story, nothing like I've read before, and still keeps it interesting. I love her diverse genres, Tropes and her fierce bravery in handling sensitive topics in today's political climate.
“4 stars for “something of the marvelous,” ”
Follow me on:
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I'm stunned, shivers running down my spine and frankly- my Rage is Raging!!
I'm beginning to suspect Mia possesses some kind of psychic abilities. When she wrote Heart of the Sun, in real world we were dealing with place accidents all over the world, camps were being built and there was a strong suspicion of grid collapse reality.
when this book will be released, we have been through a Wayfair conspiracy, a Vinted is on the horizon and the "island documents" scandals galore, THIS fiction makes so much sense, it parallels or maybe mirrors Factuality. The similarities are uncanny and creepy enough to be coincidental.
I'm too scared to what she conjure up next.
Or maybe she CAN go the Simpsons way.IYKYK 😜
Anywho the boonies is the setting. Rural poorest who live in the godforsaken mountains in the 1948, 1961 & 1982. The story dashes between these three years, chronicling the penury of Callaways. The father, the mother and 4 children Billy, Bean, Lottie & Cecily. Abused, neglected, starved they see more than their fair share of beatings, rapes and trauma
“Why would you make a deal with the devil?” he asked.
“Daddy was the devil,” I told him.
“And I bashed his head in.”
They are not even in the count, perpetually hungry and at the mercy of in-breeding. Basically an oven to pop out buns for sale
Hazelene Suggs the harbinger of cash, taking them all away.
Jump to the present time of 1982 where Duke is incarcerated for 25 years but breaks out to help save the girl his father would be going for - Winsome Fair. Adopted daughter of the mayor -Twyla Fair. A sophisticated and cultured girl who studied in paris.
There's too much that goes on at a slow pace where Winnie returns home and abets the escaped fugitive Duke.
“There’s darkness in me, Duke. It runs in my blood like poison. If I ever . . . if I ever do somethin’ that don’t seem right, you make sure I stop, however you gotta do that, you hear?”
But the whole town goes against them opening the closet of secrets sealed shut. Those skeletons are making awful noise though..........
The twist is the most messed up in the end. Fair warning
Mia takes a challenge of turning every unique story, nothing like I've read before, and still keeps it interesting. I love her diverse genres, Tropes and her fierce bravery in handling sensitive topics in today's political climate.
“4 stars for “something of the marvelous,” ”
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻 TikTok 🌻 StoryGraph 🌻 YouTube 🌻
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Lost Ones is a slow paced book where two former friends connected through childhood trauma unravel a conspiracy in the impoverished hills of West Virginia. It's told through 3 different timelines and multiple POVs.
I don't know how I feel about this book. This is the first book of Mia Sheridan that I've read and she's been on my TBR forever. I got into it thinking I was picking up a thriller (as stated in the blurb) and as such, I was expecting high stakes, tension, a feeling of urgency.
Instead, the first 30% of the book slowly introduces the characters' backstory. It kind of picks up at 40%, but I still found myself googling once I reached 60% : "what's the difference between a thriller, a suspense and a mystery?"
The story itself was interesting and thought provoking. And that plot twist!! It just wasn't what I expected going in and I felt a bit... blindsided maybe? misled? Am I at fault for having these expectations? I'm confused mostly.
I think it's a great book for fans of mysteries with a dash of tension and romance... For what it's worth, in my unprofessional opinion, I'd characterize the book as more of a mystery because the majority of it leans more towards puzzle-solving and less towards action-packed events. I don't know about official classifications, but I feel like that gives readers a better idea about what to expect.
For me, it wasn't a 'stay-awake-all-night-because-I-need-to-know-what-happens-next' story. It was more of a slow buildup, where each new piece of information paints an increasingly horrifying portrait until you reach the pinnacle of the story where it then becomes a tense and action-packed page-turner.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. This is my honest review. I oscillated between giving the book 3 or 4 stars, because I did like it and would have maybe even loved it if I had went in with different expectations...
I don't know how I feel about this book. This is the first book of Mia Sheridan that I've read and she's been on my TBR forever. I got into it thinking I was picking up a thriller (as stated in the blurb) and as such, I was expecting high stakes, tension, a feeling of urgency.
Instead, the first 30% of the book slowly introduces the characters' backstory. It kind of picks up at 40%, but I still found myself googling once I reached 60% : "what's the difference between a thriller, a suspense and a mystery?"
The story itself was interesting and thought provoking. And that plot twist!! It just wasn't what I expected going in and I felt a bit... blindsided maybe? misled? Am I at fault for having these expectations? I'm confused mostly.
I think it's a great book for fans of mysteries with a dash of tension and romance... For what it's worth, in my unprofessional opinion, I'd characterize the book as more of a mystery because the majority of it leans more towards puzzle-solving and less towards action-packed events. I don't know about official classifications, but I feel like that gives readers a better idea about what to expect.
For me, it wasn't a 'stay-awake-all-night-because-I-need-to-know-what-happens-next' story. It was more of a slow buildup, where each new piece of information paints an increasingly horrifying portrait until you reach the pinnacle of the story where it then becomes a tense and action-packed page-turner.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. This is my honest review. I oscillated between giving the book 3 or 4 stars, because I did like it and would have maybe even loved it if I had went in with different expectations...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dark, twisty romantic thriller with a smashing ending .
Duke Caraway had lived with his dad and had been warned there was dark blood in his family and if he ever saw his dad do something wrong to stop him. When Duke at seven sees his dad carrying a young girl at night he saves the lives of two girls - Junie and Winsome (Winnie) with whom Duke has an instant connection. This was twenty years ago but for the past ten years Duke’s been in prison for the gruesome death of Junie, a crime he says he’s innocent of. When his father, who is also in prison, is being released on a technicality, Duke knows. he needs to escape to find Junie’s real killer. Winnie is there and agrees to help him. A romance blossoms No spoilers from here - you need to read the book to get to a very surprising ending.
This is an intense read so be prepared for some dark stuff - not necessarily gory but shocking. Duke and Winnie are likable characters and while they have a romance is a lesser part of the story. What you get in reading the book is that evil lurks beneath the hearts of men spurred by greed and lack of empathy - a mirror to our times (probably all times). You also get a story of redemption and “feel good” ending too because in reading the book you do get invested in the characters. My only criticism was all the jumping around in time and characters - while I’m sure intended for suspense, it also poses a complexity in reading that some readers may finding confusing or annoying (like me). Still it’s a very good read.
This book definitely is for followers of Mia Sheridan or readers who like dark, intense thrillers.
My thanks to Netgalley and Montilake for granting me access to this ARC
Duke Caraway had lived with his dad and had been warned there was dark blood in his family and if he ever saw his dad do something wrong to stop him. When Duke at seven sees his dad carrying a young girl at night he saves the lives of two girls - Junie and Winsome (Winnie) with whom Duke has an instant connection. This was twenty years ago but for the past ten years Duke’s been in prison for the gruesome death of Junie, a crime he says he’s innocent of. When his father, who is also in prison, is being released on a technicality, Duke knows. he needs to escape to find Junie’s real killer. Winnie is there and agrees to help him. A romance blossoms No spoilers from here - you need to read the book to get to a very surprising ending.
This is an intense read so be prepared for some dark stuff - not necessarily gory but shocking. Duke and Winnie are likable characters and while they have a romance is a lesser part of the story. What you get in reading the book is that evil lurks beneath the hearts of men spurred by greed and lack of empathy - a mirror to our times (probably all times). You also get a story of redemption and “feel good” ending too because in reading the book you do get invested in the characters. My only criticism was all the jumping around in time and characters - while I’m sure intended for suspense, it also poses a complexity in reading that some readers may finding confusing or annoying (like me). Still it’s a very good read.
This book definitely is for followers of Mia Sheridan or readers who like dark, intense thrillers.
My thanks to Netgalley and Montilake for granting me access to this ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow! Mia Sheridan really does not miss when it comes to romantic thrillers!
I was completely locked in from start to finish. She has this way of pulling me into a story, making me feel unsettled in the best way, and constantly asking myself what is actually going on here? And just when I think I’ve figured it out… I absolutely have not.
One thing I always appreciate about her books is how they center on taking down corrupt men and broken systems, especially when it comes to protecting women and children. It feels timely, it feels important, and it adds so much weight to the story beyond just the suspense.
This is one of my favorite genres, which is romantic suspense, and she always does it so well. The connection between Duke and Winsome builds in such a natural, emotional way without taking away from the tension of the mystery. It’s perfectly balanced between sweet but also dark in a connected way.
There’s also a past/present timeline, which normally isn’t my favorite because it can pull me out of the story but it worked so well here. It actually added to the suspense and made all of the twists and turns feel more impactful.
Definitely check content warnings because this one is HEAVY. The themes are dark, emotional, and at times hard to read, but I think they were handled well for the content.
And the twist?! I was beside myself. Completely shook. MIA, YOUR MIND!
This was truly so gripping, very emotional, and impossible to put down. I will read whatever Mia Sheridan writes!
Thank you to NetGalley, Mia Sheridan, and Montlake for the eARC of this book.
I was completely locked in from start to finish. She has this way of pulling me into a story, making me feel unsettled in the best way, and constantly asking myself what is actually going on here? And just when I think I’ve figured it out… I absolutely have not.
One thing I always appreciate about her books is how they center on taking down corrupt men and broken systems, especially when it comes to protecting women and children. It feels timely, it feels important, and it adds so much weight to the story beyond just the suspense.
This is one of my favorite genres, which is romantic suspense, and she always does it so well. The connection between Duke and Winsome builds in such a natural, emotional way without taking away from the tension of the mystery. It’s perfectly balanced between sweet but also dark in a connected way.
There’s also a past/present timeline, which normally isn’t my favorite because it can pull me out of the story but it worked so well here. It actually added to the suspense and made all of the twists and turns feel more impactful.
Definitely check content warnings because this one is HEAVY. The themes are dark, emotional, and at times hard to read, but I think they were handled well for the content.
And the twist?! I was beside myself. Completely shook. MIA, YOUR MIND!
This was truly so gripping, very emotional, and impossible to put down. I will read whatever Mia Sheridan writes!
Thank you to NetGalley, Mia Sheridan, and Montlake for the eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
From the very first chapter, this book completely pulled me in. Emotional, haunting, beautifully layered, and incredibly well executed, this story stayed with me long after I finished it. This was my first real venture into the romance thriller world, and honestly, I get the hype now, especially if it's done as well as this.
Duke was such an incredible character. The depth of his story, his resilience, determination, and the absolute goodness in his heart made him unforgettable. His backstory completely wrecked me. Winnie brought such warmth and heart to the story, and I loved the way their relationship developed naturally and intentionally. Nothing about it felt surface level.
And Billy… OH MY GOSH. I will not spoil a thing, but that twist? I literally had to put the book down for a few minutes and stare at the wall because I did NOT see it coming.
This book deals with very heavy subject matter, especially involving children, so I would absolutely recommend checking trigger warnings beforehand. I personally have a very hard time with child abuse themes, and while parts of this book were borderline difficult for me emotionally, I never felt like the content was there for shock value. It was handled with care and restraint, and nothing felt unnecessarily explicit. Because of that, I still found it approachable and incredibly impactful.
The layers, the reveals, the emotional depth, the character development… all of it was done so incredibly well. An easy five stars for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Duke was such an incredible character. The depth of his story, his resilience, determination, and the absolute goodness in his heart made him unforgettable. His backstory completely wrecked me. Winnie brought such warmth and heart to the story, and I loved the way their relationship developed naturally and intentionally. Nothing about it felt surface level.
And Billy… OH MY GOSH. I will not spoil a thing, but that twist? I literally had to put the book down for a few minutes and stare at the wall because I did NOT see it coming.
This book deals with very heavy subject matter, especially involving children, so I would absolutely recommend checking trigger warnings beforehand. I personally have a very hard time with child abuse themes, and while parts of this book were borderline difficult for me emotionally, I never felt like the content was there for shock value. It was handled with care and restraint, and nothing felt unnecessarily explicit. Because of that, I still found it approachable and incredibly impactful.
The layers, the reveals, the emotional depth, the character development… all of it was done so incredibly well. An easy five stars for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Lost Ones was a powerful and heartbreaking read, and my first book by Mia Sheridan. I went into it not quite knowing what to expect, but I was quickly drawn into the story and really enjoyed Sheridan’s writing style.
The story unfolds across multiple timelines, points of view, years, and generations, and I really liked how these different threads gradually came together. It did take me a little while to settle into the story as it started quite slowly, but once everything began to develop, it built beautifully and kept me invested. There’s something particularly compelling about seeing how the choices, experiences, and secrets of one generation can echo through the lives of those who come after them.
This is an emotional story, dealing with some incredibly difficult and heartbreaking subjects. There are quite a few trigger warnings, so I would definitely recommend checking these before starting if you have any particular sensitivities.
One of my favourite things about the book was the way the different perspectives and timelines slowly revealed pieces of the bigger picture. There were moments where I thought I had worked things out, only for the story to take me somewhere else. And that ending? I genuinely didn’t see it coming! It definitely left an impression.
Overall, this was an emotional and beautifully layered story about love, loss, family, trauma, secrets, and the lasting impact of the past. Despite the slower beginning, I thought it developed really nicely, and by the end I was completely invested in the characters and their stories.
The story unfolds across multiple timelines, points of view, years, and generations, and I really liked how these different threads gradually came together. It did take me a little while to settle into the story as it started quite slowly, but once everything began to develop, it built beautifully and kept me invested. There’s something particularly compelling about seeing how the choices, experiences, and secrets of one generation can echo through the lives of those who come after them.
This is an emotional story, dealing with some incredibly difficult and heartbreaking subjects. There are quite a few trigger warnings, so I would definitely recommend checking these before starting if you have any particular sensitivities.
One of my favourite things about the book was the way the different perspectives and timelines slowly revealed pieces of the bigger picture. There were moments where I thought I had worked things out, only for the story to take me somewhere else. And that ending? I genuinely didn’t see it coming! It definitely left an impression.
Overall, this was an emotional and beautifully layered story about love, loss, family, trauma, secrets, and the lasting impact of the past. Despite the slower beginning, I thought it developed really nicely, and by the end I was completely invested in the characters and their stories.
September 29, 2026
🎀 T H R I L L E R T H U R S D A Y book tour & review 🎀 featuring “The Lost Ones” by Mia Sheridan!
Happy Thursday my friends! Today is my stop on the virtual book tour for THE LOST ONES which releases on December 1, 2026!
When Duke Caraway was only 7 years old, he witnessed pure evil right in front of him. His father dragged two young girls (Winsome and Junie) through the woods and locked them up inside an old mine shaft on the back of their property. Duke heroically rescued the two sisters and ultimately sent his father to prison. Duke ended up growing up in rough group homes and the sisters were split up from one another.
The three of them stayed loosely in touch over the years, and now Junie has been found dead and Duke is convicted of her murder. Duke escapes from prison with hopes of hunting down Junie’s real killer and clearing his name. The only person who believes his innocence is Winsome, and now they must work together to seek justice … even if it means going against the powerful and corrupt people within their community.
💭 This is definitely a book that is multi layered like an onion and as you peel away the layers, more of the truth gets exposed. There are 3 different timelines that are intertwined by shared history, dysfunctional family dynamics and despicable trauma. This book is beyond dark, full of secrets, extremely unsettling and shocking to its core. Please make sure to check for trigger warnings before reading.
Thank you kindly to @miasheridanauthor @amazonpublishing @montlake_publishers @otrpr for my advanced copy and spot on this tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
Happy Thursday my friends! Today is my stop on the virtual book tour for THE LOST ONES which releases on December 1, 2026!
When Duke Caraway was only 7 years old, he witnessed pure evil right in front of him. His father dragged two young girls (Winsome and Junie) through the woods and locked them up inside an old mine shaft on the back of their property. Duke heroically rescued the two sisters and ultimately sent his father to prison. Duke ended up growing up in rough group homes and the sisters were split up from one another.
The three of them stayed loosely in touch over the years, and now Junie has been found dead and Duke is convicted of her murder. Duke escapes from prison with hopes of hunting down Junie’s real killer and clearing his name. The only person who believes his innocence is Winsome, and now they must work together to seek justice … even if it means going against the powerful and corrupt people within their community.
💭 This is definitely a book that is multi layered like an onion and as you peel away the layers, more of the truth gets exposed. There are 3 different timelines that are intertwined by shared history, dysfunctional family dynamics and despicable trauma. This book is beyond dark, full of secrets, extremely unsettling and shocking to its core. Please make sure to check for trigger warnings before reading.
Thank you kindly to @miasheridanauthor @amazonpublishing @montlake_publishers @otrpr for my advanced copy and spot on this tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
October 4, 2026
The Lost Ones is a story of tragedy, heartache resilience and justice. This is now my favourite thriller by Mia, and that’s saying something given how much I’ve adored her previous thrillers.
Tragedy strikes when Winnie and Duke are young, far too young than they should be. But years pass and they build their lives the best they can, until another devastation rocks their world.
Decades later and their past comes back to haunt them. With the release of the criminal who ripped their worlds apart, Duke is faced with an impossible choice.
Weaved between different timelines, Mia crafts an emotional tale that spans decades and explores the heartbreak of an impoverished town and the evil that lies within. But The Lost Ones, while dark and gritty as Winnie and Duke seek to unravel the lies and find truth, is very much a story of strength, love, hope and justice.
What I loved most was Winnie and her strength, her resilience and her love for what’s right. She’s clearly been shaped by her past and her experiences but isn’t jaded. She’s real and passionate and caring, and I felt incredibly connected and invested in her. Having Duke alongside Winnie was perfect. Tortured from his past but unrelenting in his desire to protect Winnie and discover the real story that surrounds their pasts, Duke is a character of strength and integrity and I adored him to pieces.
Genuinely, The Lost Ones was impossible to put down, a story that gripped me, intrigued me and captivated me. With every page, every hint, every clue leading us to answers, I was desperate for more.
Tragedy strikes when Winnie and Duke are young, far too young than they should be. But years pass and they build their lives the best they can, until another devastation rocks their world.
Decades later and their past comes back to haunt them. With the release of the criminal who ripped their worlds apart, Duke is faced with an impossible choice.
Weaved between different timelines, Mia crafts an emotional tale that spans decades and explores the heartbreak of an impoverished town and the evil that lies within. But The Lost Ones, while dark and gritty as Winnie and Duke seek to unravel the lies and find truth, is very much a story of strength, love, hope and justice.
What I loved most was Winnie and her strength, her resilience and her love for what’s right. She’s clearly been shaped by her past and her experiences but isn’t jaded. She’s real and passionate and caring, and I felt incredibly connected and invested in her. Having Duke alongside Winnie was perfect. Tortured from his past but unrelenting in his desire to protect Winnie and discover the real story that surrounds their pasts, Duke is a character of strength and integrity and I adored him to pieces.
Genuinely, The Lost Ones was impossible to put down, a story that gripped me, intrigued me and captivated me. With every page, every hint, every clue leading us to answers, I was desperate for more.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
WOW!! Mia Sheridan, the Author of “The Lost Ones” has written a powerful, suspenseful, captivating, chilling thriller. The Genres for this novel are : Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Conspiracy Thriller, Serial Killers, Small Town and Rural Fiction, with a dash of Romance. In this well written novel, Mia Sheridan vividly describes the smoky mountains, the landscape, the scenery, the plot, and the dramatic and dark characters. Can you imagine a seven year old boy witnessing his father carrying something to hide, and bury? Upon closer observation, the boy notices two very young girls, who he frees and helps them to a tree, while he gets help. He also noticed bones, and is left without a father to raise him. Duke Caraway, now an adult ,has been incarcerated for a tragic murder that he doesn’t remember anything about. Winsome Fair, now an adult, was one of the little girls he saved, and she believes that he is innocent. Winsome was adopted by the mayor, and has always thought of Duke as her protector and savior. She is determined to see him cleared, an any cost. In this story, there are betrayals, secrets, familial secrets, corruption at the higher levels, trafficking, lost people, threats, danger and murder. There are twists and turns, highs and lows, surprising revelations, and dangerous adventure. Nothing is as it really seems, and anyone can be suspect to horrific crimes. As clues bring Duke and Winsome closer, there is more danger. Kudos to Mia Sheridan for writing such a unique and challenging, thought provoking novel, that I highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay so... I actually had to put my phone down and take a second after finishing this one because I was SO convinced that I had it all figured out and then... I was just wrong in the best way possible. The TWIST in this blindsided me and, as a lover of Freida McFadden, this was the kind of twist I cravvvveeeeeee.
I will say that this story is dark and sometimes hard to read. There is no shying away from the topics of poverty, trauma, hopelessness, and cruelty, but there is also no shying away from the love, hope, and tenderness that is weaved through it all. I became invested in the characters lives and I wanted a happy ending for them so desperately. The multiple timelines and perspectives is a bit hard at first to get in rhythm with, but after the first part of the book, I got into the flow of it and was quickly hooked and couldn't put it down. The story had me constantly guessing what was going to happen next and just when I thought I knew... nope!
This book felt like a mixture of a heartbreaking romance with a small-town mystery and I ate it up. There were moments that made me angry and others that left me speech-(and thought)-less. There is so much pain being held by the two main characters but their perseverance through everything and their faith in each other made me never stop rooting for them.
Thank you so much for giving this to us, Mia. I will read whatever you put out next and I cannot wait for everyone to love this book as much as I did!
I will say that this story is dark and sometimes hard to read. There is no shying away from the topics of poverty, trauma, hopelessness, and cruelty, but there is also no shying away from the love, hope, and tenderness that is weaved through it all. I became invested in the characters lives and I wanted a happy ending for them so desperately. The multiple timelines and perspectives is a bit hard at first to get in rhythm with, but after the first part of the book, I got into the flow of it and was quickly hooked and couldn't put it down. The story had me constantly guessing what was going to happen next and just when I thought I knew... nope!
This book felt like a mixture of a heartbreaking romance with a small-town mystery and I ate it up. There were moments that made me angry and others that left me speech-(and thought)-less. There is so much pain being held by the two main characters but their perseverance through everything and their faith in each other made me never stop rooting for them.
Thank you so much for giving this to us, Mia. I will read whatever you put out next and I cannot wait for everyone to love this book as much as I did!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into this mostly blind, just eager to read a new Mia Sheridan book… and I’m glad I made that choice. For sensitive readers I do recommend checking trigger warnings as the story does contain some serious and dark subject matter.
Recently I finished a different book with alternating POVs and timelines that was disjointed and confusing - I’m happy to report that in The Lost Ones it made perfect sense and I loved what it brought to the story. They categorize this as romantic suspense but I’m not sure that’s correct… the romance exists but it’s not where the meat of the story is. The Lost Ones is a haunting, heart wrenching and slow moving suspense about families growing up in an area full of poverty and hard living. The pacing was slow at times but I was never bored, the author did a fantastic job of creating this area of West Virginia that was remote and wild and held so many secrets. The setting was so vivid while I read… I was entranced from the start.
There was also a doozy of a twist that I did not see coming. It’d be interesting to reread the story knowing what the twist is ahead of time and someday I might just do that.
I’m so glad I got to read Duke and Winsome’s story, to learn where they came from and catch a glimpse of their future. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read an early copy.
Recently I finished a different book with alternating POVs and timelines that was disjointed and confusing - I’m happy to report that in The Lost Ones it made perfect sense and I loved what it brought to the story. They categorize this as romantic suspense but I’m not sure that’s correct… the romance exists but it’s not where the meat of the story is. The Lost Ones is a haunting, heart wrenching and slow moving suspense about families growing up in an area full of poverty and hard living. The pacing was slow at times but I was never bored, the author did a fantastic job of creating this area of West Virginia that was remote and wild and held so many secrets. The setting was so vivid while I read… I was entranced from the start.
There was also a doozy of a twist that I did not see coming. It’d be interesting to reread the story knowing what the twist is ahead of time and someday I might just do that.
I’m so glad I got to read Duke and Winsome’s story, to learn where they came from and catch a glimpse of their future. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read an early copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a truly entertaining yet heartbreaking story. Throughout Duke and Winsome’s journey I did nothing but root for them. My heart went out to them. I loved Winsome’s passion for the Hills and those that lived in them. The story is told from both Duke and Winsome’s POV (present day), as well as from Billy’s POV (going back in time to when Duke’s dad was a child). Billy didn’t have it easy, with a dad who abused the whole family following the death of their mother. No excuses for this family, just reasons. Both Duke and Winsome were a product of their parent’s decisions and thus they were affected by their pasts without really understanding why. A complicated story with a definite small town feel. A definite murder mystery with some additional not so mysterious deaths in and amongst. How deep does the rabbit hole go? Who can be trusted? It’s up to Duke and Winsome to find out. What a superb plot twist too. I did not see that coming and it added a whole new perspective to the story. I loved it. I’ve got to admit I did shed a tear or two considering that each innocent (and maybe some not so innocent) characters were all a victim of circumstance. I absolutely loved this story from beginning to end. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Caraway's are bad blood. Father is in prison for kidnapping two girls and who knows what else he did, the son is also in prison for murdering a friend of his. The family was known to be poor with some shady things going on in those part of the woods. Duke has just found out that his father is going to get released on a technicality and he fears for the one person who truly knows who he is and that he never committed the murder he is accused of. He knows he must do everything in his power to protect Winsome, no matter the cost. What really happened that night his father took those two girls? What happened to his friend that was murdered and how deep and how many generations does bad blood, this poison really run in a family? There is so much to this novel and I could not put it down! The twists, the shocks, the corruption and the truth about who is who had me on the edge of my seat the whole entire read! I loved this one from page one to the very end, how she wrote the story so we saw the past that lead up to where things were currently. I will for sure be reading more books by this author! Thank you to the author and publisher for the complementary novel and to Over the River PR for the tour invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.
October 17, 2026
Dark, heartbreaking, and impossible to put down!
The Lost Ones by Mia Sheridan completely pulled me in. This is so much more than a thriller. It’s a haunting story of childhood trauma, survival, injustice, and the devastating secrets people will do anything to keep buried.
Duke’s story broke my heart. He’s a man who has already lost so much, yet he refuses to give up on finding the truth. Winsome’s determination to help him uncover what really happened had me rooting for them every step of the way. As the mystery unraveled, the twists, corruption, and horrifying discoveries kept me turning the pages, needing to know just how deep the darkness went.
What really got me was the emotional depth woven into all the suspense. These characters have endured so much, and watching them fight for justice while confronting their painful pasts made this story hit even harder.
If you love dark, twisty thrillers with heartbreaking backstories, shocking secrets, and characters you can’t help but root for, add this one to your must-read list! Mia Sheridan knows how to pull you into a story and keep you thinking about it long after you finish. This one is haunting, intense, and absolutely worth the read.
The Lost Ones by Mia Sheridan completely pulled me in. This is so much more than a thriller. It’s a haunting story of childhood trauma, survival, injustice, and the devastating secrets people will do anything to keep buried.
Duke’s story broke my heart. He’s a man who has already lost so much, yet he refuses to give up on finding the truth. Winsome’s determination to help him uncover what really happened had me rooting for them every step of the way. As the mystery unraveled, the twists, corruption, and horrifying discoveries kept me turning the pages, needing to know just how deep the darkness went.
What really got me was the emotional depth woven into all the suspense. These characters have endured so much, and watching them fight for justice while confronting their painful pasts made this story hit even harder.
If you love dark, twisty thrillers with heartbreaking backstories, shocking secrets, and characters you can’t help but root for, add this one to your must-read list! Mia Sheridan knows how to pull you into a story and keep you thinking about it long after you finish. This one is haunting, intense, and absolutely worth the read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher Montlake for the eARC of this 3-star read.
Duke Caraway is serving time for a brutal murder he doesn’t remember committing, and when he escapes to prove he’s innocent, ends up back in Appalachian town tied to his past. The only person willing to believe him is Winsome Fair, a guidance counselor he once saved as a child after rescuing her and from a horrific situation. That moment shaped both their lives in very different ways, and now they’re forced together again as they dig into what really happened.
As Duke and Winsome follow the trail, they uncover something much bigger than one crime—a pattern involving missing children, silence from witnesses, and people in power who shouldn’t be trusted. The story moves between different timelines and perspectives, slowly building the full picture. I went in expecting a fast-paced thriller, but it leans more toward a slow-burn mystery with a heavy focus on backstory. It does pick up later on, and I liked the characters and their connection, but overall the pacing stayed on the slower side for me. I would recommend.
Duke Caraway is serving time for a brutal murder he doesn’t remember committing, and when he escapes to prove he’s innocent, ends up back in Appalachian town tied to his past. The only person willing to believe him is Winsome Fair, a guidance counselor he once saved as a child after rescuing her and from a horrific situation. That moment shaped both their lives in very different ways, and now they’re forced together again as they dig into what really happened.
As Duke and Winsome follow the trail, they uncover something much bigger than one crime—a pattern involving missing children, silence from witnesses, and people in power who shouldn’t be trusted. The story moves between different timelines and perspectives, slowly building the full picture. I went in expecting a fast-paced thriller, but it leans more toward a slow-burn mystery with a heavy focus on backstory. It does pick up later on, and I liked the characters and their connection, but overall the pacing stayed on the slower side for me. I would recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book was absolutely amazing and gripping in the best way possible.
The storyline had me hooked from the first chapter and I could not put it down!
I had read this author romance books before and liked them, so I wanted to try one of her romantic suspense/thrillers and I am so glad that I did. Even through this novel's main focus is the suspense and mystery solving there was also a heartfelt romance element that bloomed beautifully throughout the novel.
The story is told in 3 POVs primarily and the author also plays around with the timeline so there is a back and forth between past and present that was done masterfully to keep you guessing about where the truth really lies. I was absolutely surprised by the plot twist and devoured the rest of the book in one sitting once it was revealed.
Overall, I would recommend this book to those looking for a good mystery/suspense book with a dash of romance.
This book was absolutely amazing and gripping in the best way possible.
The storyline had me hooked from the first chapter and I could not put it down!
I had read this author romance books before and liked them, so I wanted to try one of her romantic suspense/thrillers and I am so glad that I did. Even through this novel's main focus is the suspense and mystery solving there was also a heartfelt romance element that bloomed beautifully throughout the novel.
The story is told in 3 POVs primarily and the author also plays around with the timeline so there is a back and forth between past and present that was done masterfully to keep you guessing about where the truth really lies. I was absolutely surprised by the plot twist and devoured the rest of the book in one sitting once it was revealed.
Overall, I would recommend this book to those looking for a good mystery/suspense book with a dash of romance.
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